Document - Titel: Uniek Vrijmetselaars Meesterdiploma (1829) met 5 overzeese reisvisums (Batavia, Sumatra & - 1823

For sale: A museum-grade and extremely rare, original Freemasons Master Diploma from 1829 (Maçonniek year 5829), issued under the Grand Orient of the Netherlands.
This unique document on handmade paper tells the complete life and journey of Brother J. N. Rubere. The document was issued in Groningen in 1829 and thereafter traveled as an official 'Masonic passport' to the Dutch East Indies, ending 26 years later in Gorinchem. Documents with such extensive and well-documented overseas travel history are highly sought after and rarely offered on the market.

Front (The Initiation - Groningen, 1829):

• Lodge: Issued by the oldest and most prestigious lodge of the North Netherlands: Lodge L'Union Provinciale in Groningen (founded in 1772) L'Union Provinciale Groningen.
• Seal & Signatures: Equipped with the fine original lacquered or dry stamp of the lodge with the Latin motto "Silentio et Fide" (By Silence and Faith). Signed by the Master of the Chair (Gr.:Mr.:) with the ceremonial rank designation "S.:P.:R.:" (Sovereign Prince of the Rosy Cross).
• Ne Varietur: Contains the required control calligraphy "Ne Varietur" ("Not to be altered") with the original, hand-written signature of the bearer, J. N. Rubere.
• Aesthetics: The front is beautifully decorated with a braided border, the compass and square, and the large Latin main motto "Junctus Amor Virtute Levat Super Aethera Fratres". The original green-pink-white fabric ribbons and rosette are still present.

Back (The World Journey - 5 Unique Visas 1831–1855):

The back of the document contains no fewer than five handwritten visas (visit registrations) signed by lodge secretaries that prove the bearer’s travels:
1. Lodge "Oranje" (Dutch East Indies, 1831): His first registration in the East, dating from January 1832 (maçonniek 5831), shortly after his arrival in the colonies.
2. Lodge "La Fidèle Sincérité" (Batavia / Jakarta, 1834): Visa of this historic and prominent lodge on Java, dated October 27, 1834.
3. Lodge "De Ster in het Oosten" (Batavia / Jakarta, 1840): Stamped on October 15, 1840 at this world-famous lodge (where Multatuli was later a member, among others).
4. Lodge at Padang (Sumatra, 1841): An extremely rare visa from the west coast of Sumatra, dated June 26, 1841. Signed by the secretary with the title S.:P.:R.:.
5. Lodge "Orde en Vlijt" (Gorinchem, 1855): The culmination of the journey. This visa proves that Brother Rubere, in later life, returned alive to the Netherlands and visited the lodge in Gorinchem in February 1856 (maçonniek 5855) Grand Orient of the Netherlands.

Condition of the object:

The document is in splendid, authentic condition. Given the enormous voyage the document has physically undertaken (by sea to the tropics and back), the paper is exceptionally well preserved. The ink is everywhere clear and perfectly readable. The document shows the original fold lines and light signs of aging that complete the character of this top piece.
An absolute dream for the serious collector of Masonry, colonial history (Dutch East Indies/Indonesia) and antique documents (Ephemera).
Bid to value.
The document can be carefully packed, insured and shipped by registered mail (costs and risk with the buyer), or picked up.